Chapter 23
That was three months ago. Gimli told me the next day that he would be leaving for Helms Deep with Tarin. It took them a week for all of the preparations. The pair left silently with barely a word to anyone save Glön, Aragorn, Dori, and me. Dori tried his best to persuade Gimli to let him accompany them but Gimli and Tarin would hear none of it. I can't say I am surprised on that account, Gimli was very adamant about keeping Tarin with him at all times. They slipped away in the early morning two hours before dawn. Well Gimli wanted to slip away but I had to wake Tarin up and she was hardly ready to 'slip' away anywhere. She was barely conscious enough to put one foot in front of the other but Gimli will help her adjust, of this I am sure. The two are so good for each other. One seems to draw strength from the other, which is why Gimli was dying and why Tarin had no soul left when I met her. Anyway that is the basic message I communicated, well alright, yelled at Mundin after we left Gimli and Tarin that morning. Mundin had regained his balance fairly quickly and almost ran for the door again. I must admit that I took a good deal of pleasure when I grabbed him by his beard and led him to a chair. He carried a fine mark from where I slapped him on his right side, matched well with the bruise on his left side courtesy of Gimli for a few days. When I backhanded him he fell into a chair, I stood over him and shouted at him for ten minutes without drawing breath or repeating myself once. After that he was very quiet. We haven't really spoken since then but I believe he regrets trying to separate the two. Hopefully he will try to make amends with Tarin if she comes back here.
Finally I have received word from them. Gimli of course must be formal and send his greetings to his family and friends. He and Tarin traveled with King Elessar to Helms Deep. There they found several other dwarves busily working there. Tarin communicated to me that she grudgingly had to admit that Gimli was right. There is no place in any world to compare to the glory that is Helms Deep. Gimli seems to be much occupied with making sure that no one delves too greedily or deeply. It shall be barely touched apparently. Tarin has been organizing all of the dwarven women together and, (much to Gimli's dismay) they are being influenced by their newfound companion. Tarin is slowly learning about her dwarven gifts and slowly shedding her human qualities. Tarin said she ought to feel more concerned about it but strangely she isn't. Odd girl, why should anyone wish to be anything other than dwarven? As much as I like Tarin I doubt I shall ever truly understand her.
Four Months Later. . . Glön had a letter from his son by eagle today. Gimli finally convinced Tarin to marry him. I wonder if he did it in the heat of an argument or amidst flowers, or in the deep caverns of Helms Deep at the end of a beautiful day. I imagine it was in the middle of an argument. Anyway however he did it, he managed it. The two were married inside the caves. They have now assembled a large enough party of sturdy dwarves to retake Moria. Strangely enough Tarin is the least afraid of the place she told me "they can't hurt me, Varda has told me." I don't know what that means but I admire her. Soon Legolas and Nurhyandoien will be with them. The retaking of Moria will require both the dwarves and the elves. Tarin has left a message for me telling me not to worry, apparently Nurhyandoien made her an elf-friend before they left and will thus the elves will help the dwarves as much as possible. Strange that since dwarves and elves have existed together on Middle Earth only Tarin and Gimli have befriended the elves. There does seem to be a strange connection between the two. They are both brave and headstrong. Sometimes that is good . . . sometimes it isn't.
Six months later. . . For six long months no one had heard anything from Tarin, Gimli or any member of the party sent to take back Moria. I must admit that everyone was beginning to fear for our friends. At long last a messenger came; he was tired, and dirty, but satisfied. The goblins and remaining orcs have been driven out of Moria! A mighty battle took place in which Gimli lead the retaking of the great hall. Gimli himself slew the last great Orcan leader, Gimahr the bloody handed. Gimli escaped with a slash to the shoulder but he rapidly recovers from it under his new bride's watchful care . . . and many rebukes about running into battle without thinking as the messenger confided in me. Apparently his rooms were directly below the new couple's and her yelling could be heard quite clearly by him. Gimli's return shootings could be heard by every creature in Moria. Finally all of the goblins and orcs were driven across the bridge and out of Moria; there the elven people awaited them. The goblins did not last long against the skilled archers of Mirkwood and Lothlorien. Legolas and his wife fought bravely and were among one of the first of their kind to reenter Moria. They were honored at a victory banquet along with Gimli, and Tarin for saving many dwarven lives.
When asked after Gimli the messenger, Fundin, seemed pleased to report that he is very busy in leading scouting parties into the more deserted parts of Moria to drive out the remaining orcs and goblins. (Much to Tarin's annoyance I am sure) And once I got Fundin to my private chambers he finally gave me what I had long been expecting . . . a letter from Tarin. . .
Dear Nalin, I imagine by now that you have heard that Gimli and I are married. Don't ask me how it happened, (I for one am still trying to figure that out) but it's happened. I hope that you and your family may welcome me as a member when we come to visit. I am in Moria now. . . Gimli has not only insisted on planning every strategy but then he leaves the plan to Fundin to supervise and then goes and leads the charge! I did not get him back just to see him off to his death, and I told him as much when he got himself slashed by some . . . head orc or something. He was proud of it. . . I wasn't. In any way I do hope that you are well my friend. Soon we may visit. Although Gimli insists on staying until Moria is completely cleared. This could take awhile. I am quickly catching on to communication through the cave walls; it is really amazing what you all are able to do. I am learning but am very amazed by these talents! I think Gimli is pleased with my progress although I haven't gotten him to admit it yet. This is too long as it is . . . and I have no doubt that Fundin will tell you all the details, the gossip. Alright well I miss you and farewell. Tarin
I was pleased with her messages . . . and even more pleased with the 'details' Fundin told me of. Apparently Gimli and Tarin have a fondness for wandering around the great hall in the middle of the night together. It has become secretly agreed upon by the other dwarves that the great hall will remain deserted whenever the couple 'sneaks' out. I hope they will soon visit.
No more news for now but I shall keep you updated. Nalin.
That was three months ago. Gimli told me the next day that he would be leaving for Helms Deep with Tarin. It took them a week for all of the preparations. The pair left silently with barely a word to anyone save Glön, Aragorn, Dori, and me. Dori tried his best to persuade Gimli to let him accompany them but Gimli and Tarin would hear none of it. I can't say I am surprised on that account, Gimli was very adamant about keeping Tarin with him at all times. They slipped away in the early morning two hours before dawn. Well Gimli wanted to slip away but I had to wake Tarin up and she was hardly ready to 'slip' away anywhere. She was barely conscious enough to put one foot in front of the other but Gimli will help her adjust, of this I am sure. The two are so good for each other. One seems to draw strength from the other, which is why Gimli was dying and why Tarin had no soul left when I met her. Anyway that is the basic message I communicated, well alright, yelled at Mundin after we left Gimli and Tarin that morning. Mundin had regained his balance fairly quickly and almost ran for the door again. I must admit that I took a good deal of pleasure when I grabbed him by his beard and led him to a chair. He carried a fine mark from where I slapped him on his right side, matched well with the bruise on his left side courtesy of Gimli for a few days. When I backhanded him he fell into a chair, I stood over him and shouted at him for ten minutes without drawing breath or repeating myself once. After that he was very quiet. We haven't really spoken since then but I believe he regrets trying to separate the two. Hopefully he will try to make amends with Tarin if she comes back here.
Finally I have received word from them. Gimli of course must be formal and send his greetings to his family and friends. He and Tarin traveled with King Elessar to Helms Deep. There they found several other dwarves busily working there. Tarin communicated to me that she grudgingly had to admit that Gimli was right. There is no place in any world to compare to the glory that is Helms Deep. Gimli seems to be much occupied with making sure that no one delves too greedily or deeply. It shall be barely touched apparently. Tarin has been organizing all of the dwarven women together and, (much to Gimli's dismay) they are being influenced by their newfound companion. Tarin is slowly learning about her dwarven gifts and slowly shedding her human qualities. Tarin said she ought to feel more concerned about it but strangely she isn't. Odd girl, why should anyone wish to be anything other than dwarven? As much as I like Tarin I doubt I shall ever truly understand her.
Four Months Later. . . Glön had a letter from his son by eagle today. Gimli finally convinced Tarin to marry him. I wonder if he did it in the heat of an argument or amidst flowers, or in the deep caverns of Helms Deep at the end of a beautiful day. I imagine it was in the middle of an argument. Anyway however he did it, he managed it. The two were married inside the caves. They have now assembled a large enough party of sturdy dwarves to retake Moria. Strangely enough Tarin is the least afraid of the place she told me "they can't hurt me, Varda has told me." I don't know what that means but I admire her. Soon Legolas and Nurhyandoien will be with them. The retaking of Moria will require both the dwarves and the elves. Tarin has left a message for me telling me not to worry, apparently Nurhyandoien made her an elf-friend before they left and will thus the elves will help the dwarves as much as possible. Strange that since dwarves and elves have existed together on Middle Earth only Tarin and Gimli have befriended the elves. There does seem to be a strange connection between the two. They are both brave and headstrong. Sometimes that is good . . . sometimes it isn't.
Six months later. . . For six long months no one had heard anything from Tarin, Gimli or any member of the party sent to take back Moria. I must admit that everyone was beginning to fear for our friends. At long last a messenger came; he was tired, and dirty, but satisfied. The goblins and remaining orcs have been driven out of Moria! A mighty battle took place in which Gimli lead the retaking of the great hall. Gimli himself slew the last great Orcan leader, Gimahr the bloody handed. Gimli escaped with a slash to the shoulder but he rapidly recovers from it under his new bride's watchful care . . . and many rebukes about running into battle without thinking as the messenger confided in me. Apparently his rooms were directly below the new couple's and her yelling could be heard quite clearly by him. Gimli's return shootings could be heard by every creature in Moria. Finally all of the goblins and orcs were driven across the bridge and out of Moria; there the elven people awaited them. The goblins did not last long against the skilled archers of Mirkwood and Lothlorien. Legolas and his wife fought bravely and were among one of the first of their kind to reenter Moria. They were honored at a victory banquet along with Gimli, and Tarin for saving many dwarven lives.
When asked after Gimli the messenger, Fundin, seemed pleased to report that he is very busy in leading scouting parties into the more deserted parts of Moria to drive out the remaining orcs and goblins. (Much to Tarin's annoyance I am sure) And once I got Fundin to my private chambers he finally gave me what I had long been expecting . . . a letter from Tarin. . .
Dear Nalin, I imagine by now that you have heard that Gimli and I are married. Don't ask me how it happened, (I for one am still trying to figure that out) but it's happened. I hope that you and your family may welcome me as a member when we come to visit. I am in Moria now. . . Gimli has not only insisted on planning every strategy but then he leaves the plan to Fundin to supervise and then goes and leads the charge! I did not get him back just to see him off to his death, and I told him as much when he got himself slashed by some . . . head orc or something. He was proud of it. . . I wasn't. In any way I do hope that you are well my friend. Soon we may visit. Although Gimli insists on staying until Moria is completely cleared. This could take awhile. I am quickly catching on to communication through the cave walls; it is really amazing what you all are able to do. I am learning but am very amazed by these talents! I think Gimli is pleased with my progress although I haven't gotten him to admit it yet. This is too long as it is . . . and I have no doubt that Fundin will tell you all the details, the gossip. Alright well I miss you and farewell. Tarin
I was pleased with her messages . . . and even more pleased with the 'details' Fundin told me of. Apparently Gimli and Tarin have a fondness for wandering around the great hall in the middle of the night together. It has become secretly agreed upon by the other dwarves that the great hall will remain deserted whenever the couple 'sneaks' out. I hope they will soon visit.
No more news for now but I shall keep you updated. Nalin.